We all know that halters are a necessity in the world of horses, but you might not know just how many types of halters there are. Not only do they come in a variety of materials, designs, and colors, but some halters have very specific uses. It’s good to know which halter might be best for different situations or horses.
Here are the most common types of halters:
Leather
Leather halters are aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. They are designed to break if your horse gets caught on something in the pasture, making them a safer option for turnout. There are a wide range of leathers to choose from, from affordable to more expensive, so you’re sure to find one in your budget.
Nylon
Nylon is a popular and very affordable halter material choice. This type of halter is easy to clean but they are not safe for turnout, as they won’t break if your horse gets caught on something.
Rope
Rope halters have been around for a while but have become popular again, especially with those who use Natural Horsemanship. This type of halter uses knots instead of hardware, allowing for subtle communication between the handler and horse when using those knots as small pressure points.
Breakaway
Breakaway halters can be made of leather or a mix of nylon and cotton with leather at the crown, but they are designed to break if your horse finds himself in trouble. These might be a good option for horses that pull back or for turnout.
Shipping
Shipping halters are specially designed for use in a horse trailer. They are usually made of material similar to that of a breakaway halter but also have plenty of padding to absorb moisture and protect the horse’s face during transport.
Grooming
Grooming halters are meant only for grooming—never turnout or handling. This type of halter fits extremely loose so brushes can reach beneath it. The absence of the jaw and throat latch pieces also allow easy access for grooming purposes.
Convertible Halters
This type of halter is usually made of leather and contains detachable pieces to allow for grooming around the face. There are also sheepskin fleece kits available to transform a breakaway halter into a shipping halter.
What type of halter(s) do you use with your horse? Feel free to share in the comments!
Love this blog post? We think you will like Wild & Fun Animal Print Horse Tack
